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Science
in the Genes & Upbringing
Erica Martin
Molecular Geneticist, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
My
high point of the day would most likely be
the successful results obtained from optimising
a new test for an important resistance gene.
My job is to evaluate wheat plants from a
private wheat breeding program for the presence of important
genes, such as disease resistance. I also
develop, source, and implement new methods for identifying
these genes.
My daily activities are spent mainly in the
laboratory either extracting DNA from wheat
plants, running PCRs (polymerase chain reactions), and gel
electrophoresis. Other activities are entering and assessing
data and reading relevant journal articles.
In high school, I was always better at science
subjects than a lot of the other subjects, and I also enjoyed
it. So I stuck to what I enjoyed and what I did well at.
Being from a rural region and having an upbringing
in agriculture, I wanted to stay in the industry. So, my interest
and enjoyment in science and my love for agriculture have
steered me to where I am today.
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